Legal Question in Criminal Law in Montana

If someone pawns or sells something you lend them are they guilty of theft?

I loaned my stepson a computer for my grandson to use. He pawned it without my permission. Is he guilty of theft and if so can I request the police to put a hold on the computer so that I do not lose it?


Asked on 8/03/02, 5:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: If someone pawns or sells something you lend them are they guilty of theft?

When one who borrows something converts it to his own use it is called "larceny by bailee" in the law. Report the unlawful conversion to the police and ask them to retrieve the item from the pawnshop. One cannot gain good title to stolen goods by subsequent purchase.

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Answered on 8/04/02, 9:33 am


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